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NISSAN PRIMERA (1994)

Running costs, reliability data, and common problems from 34 real MOT tests.

Annual Cost

£2,197

£183/month

MOT Pass Rate

76%

Average

Road Tax

£315

Based on CC/year

Insurance

Grp 18-32

1998cc Petrol

Check Carefully

76% pass rate, £2197/year to run. 6 points below average.

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Petrol1998cc32 years old34 tests72k miles avg

Annual Running Costs

Fuel (Petrol, 1998cc)

~36 mpg

£1,327
Road Tax

Based on 1998cc

£315
MOT Test
£55
Predicted Repairs
£500
Total per year£2,197
Per month£183/mo
Per week£42/wk

Based on 7,400 miles/year (UK average), current fuel prices, and repair likelihood from MOT data. Insurance not included.

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Reliability Verdict

76% MOT pass rate(Average)
0%National avg: 82%100%

Average reliability. Expect some repairs as it ages. That's 6 points below the national average of 82%. It falls below the NISSAN brand average of 81%.

At 32 years old, 76% of NISSAN PRIMERAs from 1994 passed their MOT first time in 2026. That's based on 34 tests across the UK. The average mileage at this age is 71,893 miles.

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How Does It Compare?

Rank among 1994 cars123th of 212(top 58%)
Rank among NISSAN models434th of 660(top 66%)
vs national average-6%(82% avg)
vs 1994 cars average+0%(76% avg)
vs NISSAN average-5%(81% avg)

Mileage Analysis

71,893

Average miles

vs

236,800

Expected for age

The average 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA has 71,893 miles on the clock, which is significantly below the expected 236,800 miles for a 32-year-old car. Low-mileage examples may have spent time sitting unused, so check for issues like corroded brakes or perished rubber seals.

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Best Year to Buy?

The most reliable year is the 1995 model with a 78% MOT pass rate, while the 1993 model has the lowest at 59%. The 1994 sits between the two at 76%.

NISSAN PRIMERA by Year

YearPass RateTestsAvg Mileage
200671%87693,864 mi
200570%1,34696,366 mi
200473%884101,219 mi
200371%77897,457 mi
200269%57393,604 mi
200171%26686,445 mi
200063%15391,010 mi
199972%61494,917 mi
199875%66198,694 mi
199774%41395,198 mi
199674%119102,610 mi
199578%5486,506 mi
199476%3471,893 mi
199359%5698,848 mi
199270%4086,859 mi
199178%3684,924 mi

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About the 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA

The 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA is a family car with a 1998cc petrol engine. 34 of these vehicles were MOT tested in 2026, making it a rare model on UK roads. Among all cars from 1994, the average MOT pass rate is 76%, and this model falls short of that benchmark.

With an average of 71,893 miles at 32 years old, NISSAN PRIMERA owners tend to use this car less than the typical driver. Very low mileage could mean the car has been garaged or used only for short trips, which can cause its own issues like battery drain and moisture buildup.

1994 NISSAN PRIMERA Fuel Costs

The 1998cc petrol engine offers a reasonable balance between performance and economy. Expect around 36 mpg in mixed driving, which works out to roughly £1,327 per year at current petrol prices of 142p per litre (based on 7,400 miles per year).

What does it cost to own a 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA?

Total estimated annual running cost is £2,197 183/month), broken down as £1327 fuel, £315 road tax, £55 MOT, and £500 predicted repairs. Repair costs are moderate, reflecting the 76% pass rate. Keeping on top of servicing will help avoid surprises.

NISSAN PRIMERA Reliability Trend

The NISSAN PRIMERA has maintained consistent MOT pass rates across model years, varying by only 2 percentage points.

Buying a Used 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA

At 32 years old, the NISSAN PRIMERA is firmly in budget territory. Purchase prices are low, but check for rust, worn suspension bushes, and electrical gremlins. A full service history is especially valuable at this age. If you're flexible on year, the 1995 model has the highest pass rate at 78%. Note: with only 34 tests in our data, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

Common Issues to Watch For

Based on the 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA's fuel type, age, and engine size, these are the most likely problem areas to check.

Timing Chain / Belt

Watch out

At 32 years old, check whether the timing belt has been replaced (typically due every 5-7 years or 60,000-100,000 miles). A snapped belt can destroy the engine.

Rust and Corrosion

Watch out

At 10+ years, check wheel arches, sills, subframe, and brake lines for rust. Structural corrosion is an MOT failure. Prevention is far cheaper than repair.

Suspension Bushings

Watch out

Rubber suspension bushes harden and crack with age, causing knocking noises and vague handling. A full refresh costs £300-£800 depending on the car.

Service History

Low risk

Always request a full service history. Regular servicing is the single best indicator of how well a car has been maintained, regardless of mileage.

Running Costs Compared

How the 1994 NISSAN PRIMERA stacks up against similar cars for annual running costs, insurance, and tax.

CarPass RateFuel/yrTax/yrInsuranceTotal/yr
NISSAN PRIMERA(1994)76%£1327£315Grp 18-32£2197
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER(1996)67%£1592£250Grp 25-38£2597+£400
MAZDA MX-5(1996)76%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180
BMW 3 SERIES(1996)82%£1327£135Grp 18-32£1867-£330
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF(1996)74%£1327£135Grp 18-32£2017-£180

Estimates based on 7,400 miles/year, current fuel prices, and MOT data. Insurance groups are indicative. Actual costs vary by driver, location, and usage.

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Related Guides

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